How long to 'Build Portfolio'

[mommywesley]

So I guess this is sort of relative to the person etc, but how long should the building of the portfolio stage actually last? A certain time period (1yr etc) or like when you have, I don't know, two shoots of each type you're wanting to do (babies, kids, couples, seniors, etc).

I'm currently working with a local photographer, and she is teaching me a ton. We went out on a shoot together with one of my cousins modeling for us, and it was amazing! My pictures are of course not as good as hers but they turned out better than I would have expected if I went out on my own.

Anyway, I work full time so this is just a side 'hobby' so far, but I'm hoping that by next Fall I'll be able to drop my hours and do part time at my current job and focus on the photography more.

[andyw]

Mine have taken 30+ years to build and are constantly changing.

Note the plurals (have and are) as unless you do only one single type of work all
the time your book should be geared towards the specific job you are pitching for.

So if you are pitching for a job snapping small products then you have that in it, if it is a car shoot then you have that etc.

If you are a wedding snapper then you need examples from about half a dozen separate ones to show variety of both people and style.
How long that takes is upto you.


Your book should consist of your best and most recent work.
Consequently it is always going to be an ongoing project.

[bhursey]

Ya your portfolio will constantly change. So there is not set time. You do need at least like 3 - 10 separate shoots per category.

[OsmosisStudios]

As others have said, it never ends.

[mommywesley]

Well I guess that all makes sense, however, what I'm trying to get at, is when do you move from 'I'm building my portfolio' to charging? It seems the portfolio building stage is shooting for free etc, then moving onto paid and adding to the portfolio continually at that point.

I guess I should have just asked at what point do you start asking for money for shoots (as some still charge for prints even though the session is free to build their portfolio).

Am I making sense lol

[JFSanders]

The portfolio stage has nothing to do with charging or not charging. Photographing for a fee is based upon you knowing inside that your stuff is good enough and consistent enough that you can produce on request.

Jim

[Jim Bryant]

Until you get at lest 20 - 30 great shots. Then again, you have to keep updating with new images. SO it's always a portfolio in progress.

[SusanH1970]

Once you're consistently producing professional results - nailing focus, correct exposure and white balance, good compositions and effective post-processing. For some it takes a few months, others longer. You'll know when you're ready.

[mommywesley]

Thanks for all the replies guys...I suppose I already figured it'd be random and different for each person. I'll just continue to go out and shoot with this photographer and learn learn learn...

[nickbedford]

Joey Lawrence just did a post about portfolios as well: Creating a Photography Portfolio | Joey L : The Blog

And like the others have said, if you're doing it properly, your portfolio will never stop changing

I'd say 20 images at the least. 20 amazing images.